Vol. 42, No. 18
March 24, 2008
CONTACT: JIM MORRIS |
“MAP” Testing Will Be Extended by One Week
Science returns this spring as a mandatory MAP subject
For the second year in a row, because of bad winter weather, state education officials are extending the period of time during which public schools may give students the mandatory Missouri Assessment Program tests.
The original “window” for testing was March 31 through April 25. It has been extended by one week, to May 2. Local school districts have the flexibility to schedule their administration of MAP tests any time during this five-week period.
Beginning next Monday (March 31) and continuing through May 2, about 500,000 Missouri students in grades 3-8 will take the MAP tests in communication arts and mathematics. Tenth-graders also will take the math test; juniors are required to take the communication arts exam.
Science also returns to the MAP lineup this spring as a required subject for testing. Because of state budget restrictions, the MAP science test has only been used by school districts on a voluntary basis since 2003. The MAP science test has been redesigned and will now be given in grades 5, 8 and 11 to satisfy federal testing requirements.
“Some Missouri school districts have missed two weeks or more of classes because of winter weather, and some districts will likely miss more days as a result of recent flooding. Extending the testing window gives teachers a little more time to help students prepare for the important MAP tests,” said Stan Johnson, assistant commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.